Plummet Your Own Depths to Ease Feelings of Loneliness

Four Foundational Questions for Introspection

The practice of the kind of introspection called vichara in Sanskrit, is the practice of asking oneself, "Who am I?" This huge question can be broken into 4 foundational questions that lead to transformational insights.

Question 1     Am I my body?

Question 2     Am I my breath or my energy?

Question 3     Am I my mind?

Question 4     Do I exist beyond my mind?

I created this illustration of these four questions to inspire you on your vichara journey. This way of outlining the body, breath, and mind is ubiquitous among my teachers, all students of the late Swami Rama.

In addition, there are many ancient stories that accompany, support, or encourage these reflections. Here is an example:

Questions for Vichara Introspection

Once upon a time, the senses were engaged in an epic debate about which of them was the most important. The breath was also engaged along with the sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smelling. In order to resolve their dispute, they decided that one by one the senses would leave the body and by this means they would determine which sense had the greatest impact.

First the sense of smell left. When smell returned, it was agreed that existence was less enjoyable without that sense. Smell was glad about being missed, and anticipated winning the debate. 

Then, the sense of taste left. And, as with smell, when taste returned, it was acknowledged that existence was less agreeable without good taste. Taste too anticipated winning the debate. 

Similarly, the senses of touch, hearing, and sight took their turns. One by one they departed, and one by one, they returned. Each sense was missed while they were away. 

Finally, it was the breath's turn. Breath was at the moment of departure, just about to leave, stepping one foot out of the door... Then all at once the five senses together were overcome with an irrepressible need to cry out, "Don't go!" 

The senses were relieved when breath agreed to stay. And to this day, no one has since heard the senses debating.  

Vichara is the pursuit of the true nature of the "I." If this strikes you as overly esoteric, consider some of the common complaints that can be eased by the practice:

• feelings of victimhood
• feelings of isolation and loneliness
• feeling overwhelmed 
• feeling purposeless

Of course, it does help to have a teacher with whom to place the insights that come from the practice in a meaningful context. 

It does help to have a teacher with whom to tease the questions into finer threads of inquiry at the right time. 

It does help to have a teacher who knows 100+ practices that support the inquiries. 

It does help to have a teacher. 

I am here for that!

Jennifer Rose

646-831-2675

jelyrose@gmail.com